How to Read Patterns and Charts for the
Round Loom & Rake and Knitting Board

sample pattern

There are a couple of things to remember while working with patterns, especially if you are converting needle patterns. The first is that you start from the bottom on all looms and knit your way up. And the second is that unlike needle knitting, loom knitting has the RS (right side) always facing you.

Patterns have their own language. Common abbreviations found in all patterns and specific loom abbreviations are noted before. These will quickly become part of your vocabulary. Most patterns will include a key if there is an abbreviation that you do not recognize.

Each line of a pattern is read from left to right, just as you read English. How you knit it, however, is determined by the type of knitting and the loom. This is discussed below. The first line of a pattern is always at the bottom of your finished work. Each row builds on top of the next.

Charts also have their own language. There are some common abbreviations but you will find that even these change between editors. Charts should include a symbol legend to help you determine which stitch is which. If you make your own charts and use your own symbols, don't forget to keep a symbol legend. Keep it with the chart and in your knitting journal. All charts are read starting at the bottom row and are read up. Whether you read from the left or the right is determined by the type of knitting and the loom. It matches how you knit.

Below are overviews of how to read for the different types of knitting on the two major categories of looms. This is something that every knitter needs to learn and is a must if you want to convert needle knitting patterns.

Circular on the Round Loom & Rake
Flat on the Round Loom & Rake
Flat on the Knitting Board
General Abbreviations
Loom Abbreviations

Circular patterns are read from left to right for each row, just as in English. The charts, however, are read the same way as you knit them: all rows from right to left starting with the first row on the bottom. This means that the sample chart above would be knit on the loom as:

circular knitting layout

The example above is written in the order that you knit but remember that the first row you knit is actually at the bottom of the project while it is on the loom.

sample patternAnd written as:

  • R1: K3, P2, K1
  • R2: K2, P2, K2
  • R3: K1, P2, K3
  • R4: K3, P2, K1
  • R5: K2, P2, K2
  • R6: K1, P2, K3
Notice that rows 1 & 4 are worked the same way, as are rows 2 & 5 and rows 3 & 6. How does that compare to the finished design in the chart? They look the same on the chart and the finished project because the rows are worked the same direction of right to left.

Flat patterns are read from left to right for each row, just as in English. The charts, however, read the same way as you knit: all odd numbered rows from right to left and all even numbered rows from left to right starting with the first row on the bottom. This is one reason why flat knitting is taught this way on this site. So the sample chart above would be knit as:

flat panel knitting layout

The example above is written in the order that you knit but remember that the first row you knit is actually at the bottom of the project while it is on the loom.

sample patternAnd written as:

  • R1: K3, P2, K1
  • R2: K2, P2, K2
  • R3: K1, P2, K3
  • R4: K1, P2, K3
  • R5: K2, P2, K2
  • R6: K3, P2, K1
Notice that rows 1 & 6 are worked the same way, as are rows 2 & 5 and rows 3 & 4. How does that compare to the finished design in the chart? Even though they look different in the chart and the finished project, they are worked the same way because the direction of knitting is reversed.

Flat patterns are read from left to right for each row, just as in English. Because you generally knit off an entire row through a stitch pattern, most patterns do not use a chart. However, if t here is a chart, you can read it in either direction — read it as an entire row instead of stitch by stitch. You should be able to tell if it's a ribbing stitch, stockinette stitch, garter stitch, etc.

Authentic Knitting Boards has established a simple pattern style. They start with the number of stitches to cast on and each subsequent line of the pattern dictates which stitch pattern to use and for how many rows. Increases and decreases are also noted. Their pattern style is the closest to actual English of all patterns.

The follow abbreviations are general knitting abbreviations that are essential to know to read a pattern.

Abbreviation Definition
x Stands for times. So 5x would be 5 times.
*
(asterisk)
Repeat the instructions following the * the number of times indicated.
( )
(parentheses)
Just like in math, the instructions in the parentheses become one unit worked in the place specified in the pattern. So (k2, p2) would mean to work two knit sts and then two purl sts in the place directed in the pattern.
[ ]
(brackets)
Similar to the parentheses, the instructions in brackets are one unit worked as many times as specified. So [k2, p2] 3x would mean to work two knit sts and then two purl sts and then repeat two more times (for a total of 3).
approx approximately
BO bind(ing) off
beg begin(ning)
CO cast(ing) on
dec decrease(s)
g or gr gram(s)
in(s) or " inch(es)
inc increase(s)
k knit
k-wise knitwise, as if to knit
k2tog knit two together
MC main color
M1 make one (an increase)
oz ounces
patt(s) pattern(s)
psso pass slipped stitch over
p purl
p-wise purlwise, as if to purl
rep repeat
sl slip
sl 1, k1, psso slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
skp same as above
ssk slip two stitches knitwise
St st stockinette stitch
st(s) stitch(es)
tog together
wyib with yarn in back
wyif with yarn in front
YO or yo yarn over

The follow abbreviations are specific loom knitting abbreviations that are essential to know to read a pattern.

Abbreviation Definition
cbs chunky braid stitch
ds double stitch
ew e-wrap
figure eight figure eight wrap on the knitting board
fs flat stitch
hs half stitch
pcs popcorn stitch
pop popcorn stitch
ss single stitch
YRP yarn around peg